Wrench



(No Model.)

A' LANGST'ROM i WRENCH,

NO- 343,038l

Patented June 1, 1886.

@E @Willink UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ALBERT LANGSTROM, OF COUNCIL BLUFFS, IOVA.

WRENCH.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 343,038, dated June l, 1886.

Application filed March 10. 1886. Serial No. 194,690. (No model.)

tion, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to an improvement in wrenches. I rIhe object is to provide a nutwrench which will readily adjust itself to nuts of different sizes, and which may be manufactured at a low cost. Afurther object is to provide a light and at the same time power ful wrench, convenient for ordinary use.

XVith these ends in view my invention consists in certain features of construction and combinations of parts, as will be hereinafter described, and pointed out in the claims.

In thev accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents the wrench in extreme closed adjustment applied to a nut, and Fig. 2 repre sents the same partly in section in extreme open adjustment.

A represents the handle of the wrench, which is formed, preferably, of cast-steel or of castirou with steel-faced jaw, and terminates at one end in a curved-faced gripping-jaw, B, and at the opposite end in a screw-driver, C. The handle becomes gradually thicker and narrower as it extends toward the jaw, thereby disposing the metal to the best advantage for securing lightness and strength. The thick portion of the handle at the base of the jaw B is provided with a taper slot, D, extending through it from back to front, as shown in Fig. 2. Within the slot D one end of the curved swinging jaw E is pivotally secured, preferably by 'a screw-bolt,F. rIhe grippingface e of the swinging jaw E is preferably dat, as shown, and provided with a series of corrugations, el

rlhe swinging jaw E is thin and wide where it works in the slot D, but gradually becomes thicker and narrower as it extends toward the gripping-face, thereby making the j aw as light as is consistent with the strength required in withstanding the greatest strain to which it will be liable to be submitted.

Vhen the jaw E is swung forwardly into contact with the front end of the slot D, its gripping-face c willbe in nearest adjustment to the curved face of the jaw B, and when swung back into contact with the rear end of the said slot it will be in extreme open adjustment. nut between these two extremes is almost instantaneous and automatic. The curved-faced jaw B is provided with a series of ratchetshaped teeth, b, slanting toward the end of the jaw. Vhen placed in adjustment on a nut, the curved face of the jaw B at the point where it engages the side of the nut becomes the fulcrum of a lever, and is prevented from slipping by the ratchet-teeth b,- or the grip of the curved face of thejaw might be sufiicient to form a secure hold without the ratchetteeth. The face e of the jaw Il being at the same time in contact with the opposite side of the nut, the power applied to the handle at right angles to its length tends, through the attachment of the jaw E to the handle, to draw the jaw E into snug contact with the nut. The greater the strain ou the handle the tighter the grip. The direction in which the power is applied and the path in which the pivotal point of attachment of the jaw to the handle tends to travel are shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1.

To hold the swiugingjaw E iu a normallyclosed adjustment, a coiled spring, G, is employed. The side of the jaw E within the slot D is conveniently cut away the thickness of the wire spring, and the latter is coiled around the pivotal bolt F, one end being attached to the jaw E andthe other to the handle. h

To conveniently lock thejaw E in any desired open adjustment, its end in the handle is provided with a lug, H, projecting a short distance out of the slot in front of the handle, and a set-screw, I, is adapted to Work in a perforated lug. K, formed integral with or secured to the handle at the edge of the slot D. The end of the screw I, pressing against the lug H, tendsto tilt the jaw E backwardl y and to lock it in open adjustment.

For convenience Vin hanging the tool up on a nail or fastening a strap or string thereto, it is provided with a perforation,L,near the screwdriver end of the handle.

The adjustment of the wrench to any It is evident that slight Achanges might be resorted to in the form and arrangements of the several parts without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention; hence I do not wish to limit myself strictly to the construction herein set forth; but,

Having fully Vdescribed my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The combination, with a handle termiy nating in a curved-face gripping-jaw, and having a perforated lng, of a gripping-jaw pivotally secured to said handle, and provided with a projecting lug and a setserew working in the perforated lug of the handle and engaging the lug of the pivoted gripping-jaw, substantially as set forth.

ing jaw and lock the same in the desired open adj nstment, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribing` witnesses.

ALBERT LANGSTROM.

W'itnesses:

Trios. TOSTEVIN, VM. ARUD. 

